According to a source close to the event, Powell has been issued a
medical suspension following an
April 23 knockout loss in North Dakota that will prevent him
from competing against Pulver at the May 27 event.

According to Sherdog.com’s source, Titan officials were unaware
that Powell was participating in the April contest, as was the
Kansas Athletic Commission, which will oversee TFC 18 at Memorial
Hall in Kansas City. Upon learning that Powell had suffered a
knockout, the commission reportedly decided that Powell would not
be allowed to compete on May 27.

The promotion is currently searching for a replacement opponent for
“Little Evil.” In addition to the main event, TFC 18 will also
feature appearances from UFC veterans Drew
McFedries and Rory
Markham, as they square off with Darryl Cobb
and Rudy
Bears, respectively.

The UFC’s inaugural lightweight champion, Pulver is widely regarded
as a pioneer in popularizing the sport’s lighter weight categories.
After finding great success in his early years, the southpaw has
fallen on hard times more recently. The 36-year-old lost eight of
nine fights from 2006 to 2010, including a unanimous decision
defeat at the hands of Urijah
Faber, a 2008 bout in which Pulver failed to capture the
Californian’s WEC featherweight title. Pulver has returned to his
winning ways in 2011, posting a 2-0 record in local Illinois events
to start the year.